Xi Jinping Holds Group Meeting with Speakers of Parliaments of the Nordic and Baltic Countries

2018/01/10

On January 10, 2018, President Xi Jinping held a group meeting with leaders of parliaments of the Nordic and Baltic countries at the Great Hall of the People. Speaker of Parliament Maria Lohela of Finland, Speaker of Parliament Olemic Thommessen of Norway, Speaker of Parliament Steingrimur Jóhann Sigfusson of Iceland, Speaker of Parliament Eiki Nestor of Estonia, Speaker of Parliament Inara Murniece of Latvia, Speaker of Parliament Viktoras Pranckietis of Lithuania, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Thalen Finne of Sweden and others were present.

Xi Jinping said that this joint visit to China paid by leaders of parliaments of these countries was a new model for the Nordic and Baltic countries to jointly conduct high-level exchanges with China, marking that the political mutual trust as well as exchanges and cooperation in various fields between both sides have entered a new era of rapid development, which I welcome.

Xi Jinping pointed out that, at present, the relations between China and the Nordic and Baltic countries have maintained sound momentum of development. Both sides have enjoyed steadily enhanced political mutual trust, fruitful achievements from practical cooperation, increasingly closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges and more solid public opinion foundation. It not only conforms to the interests of respective countries, but also contributes to pushing forward the development of the China-Europe comprehensive strategic partnership and follows the trend of the times of peace, development, and win-win cooperation for China to develop healthy, stable and sustainable relations, and advance mutually beneficial and win-win bilateral and regional cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries. Both sides should always take mutual respect, equal treatment, inclusiveness and mutual learning as principles, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and firmly hold the right development direction of bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective. Both sides should continue maintaining the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthening communication, enhancing understanding, seeking common ground while resolving differences and expanding consensus. The two sides should synergize their respective development strategies and expand fields and channels of practical cooperation. In particular, both sides should strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and share the development dividends brought by Eurasian connectivity.

Xi Jinping introduced China's economic and social development situation and peaceful foreign policy. He said that the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) proposed that China will push forward the building of a new type of international relations and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. It implies the importance of the concept on socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the goal of China's diplomacy in the new era as well as the direction for all countries in the world to strive for. China will continue playing its role as a responsible major country, actively participate in reform and building of the global governance system, push forward the global governance system toward a more just and equitable direction, and constantly contribute Chinese wisdom and strength.

The leaders of parliaments from various countries present congratulated on the successful convening of the 19th CPC National Congress, expressed their admiration for the various people-oriented goals proposed at the 19th CPC National Congress, and wished the smooth realization of such goals. They expressed that China has made historical achievements in economic development, improvement of people's livelihood, poverty reduction and alleviation, environmental protection and other aspects. The Nordic and Baltic countries cherish their friendship with China and stand ready to further develop the friendly cooperative relations with China.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wang Chen was present.